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Blachford Lake Lodge

Blachford Lake Lodge

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The Royal Visit

Blachford Lake Lodge is proud to have hosted Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as part of their Royal Tour of Canada

On the 5th of July, 2011, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge boarded a Twin Otter float plane in Yellowknife for a twenty-minute excursion over the boreal wilderness of the Canadian Shield, and then landed on Blachford Lake, a remote 14-mile long lake near the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. The Duke and Duchess were greeted by Mike Freeland, owner of Blachford Lake Lodge, and his wife, Tessa Macintosh, who together welcomed the royal couple with a tour through the premise’s organic gardens, greenhouse and hand-crafted log lodge.

Their Royal Highnesses came to Blachford upon the invitation of the Dechinta Bush University Centre for Research and Learning, a land-based educational initiative located at Blachford Lake Lodge. Led by northern experts, elders and professors, Dechinta offers classes on First Nations history, Indigenous languages, self governance, the environment and the arts.

While at Blachford, the royal couple took part in Dechinta classes and learned about traditional ways of preparing caribou meat, smoking fish, uses of medicinal plants, and moose hide tanning. The couple then joined students and instructors where they took part in a discussion on Indigenous governance, education and sustainable community development.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge then paddled a canoe out to Eagle Island on Blachford Lake, where they enjoyed a private dinner of caribou, arctic char, whitefish and cranberry bannock beside a campfire. For the first time on their Royal Tour of Canada, the royal couple were able to take in the peace and beauty of truly great Canadian landscape. In regards to their visit to the island, Prince William said the time was “magical”.

For further reading on the Royal Visit at Blachford Lake Lodge please see the following news sources:

The Daily Mail UK

Royal tour: Wills whisks Kate to secret Canadian hideaway ‘Honeymoon Island’ to watch the midnight sun set

Two Royals in a boat: Canoe-dling Kate and William wow Canada’s Northwest Territories with their paddling partnership in a kayak

The Guardian UK

William and Kate canoe to a deserted Canadian island

CBC News

Will and Kate to visit N.W.T. ‘bush university’

The Daily Express

Kate Middleton and Prince William, off for a canoe-dle

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Up next: summer days ☀️ summer sun 🛶 summer fun 🍹
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Up next: summer days ☀️ summer sun 🛶 summer fun 🍹
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #flowers #garden #north #natgeotravel #auroralodge #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #northern #truenorth

4 days ago
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Northern reflections 💚
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📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
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#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis  #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth
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Northern reflections 💚
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth

5 days ago
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Northern summer nights 🤩
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📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
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#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset
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Northern summer nights 🤩
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset

1 week ago
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Magical nights under northern lights 🌌 ✨
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📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
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#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis  #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth
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Magical nights under northern lights 🌌 ✨
* * *
📸 @nick_fitzhardinge
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth

1 week ago
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p e a c e f u l 🌅
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📸 Ross Hedley
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#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset
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p e a c e f u l 🌅
* * *
📸 Ross Hedley
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views #sunset

2 weeks ago
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5/9
Have you ever stood under the Aurora and felt it’s absolute power? 🌌 Sometimes when you’re watching the lights dance and swirl above you, it can almost feel as though they’re close enough to touch ✨
* * *
📸 @aarontino
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis  #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth
blachford_ll
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Follow

Have you ever stood under the Aurora and felt it’s absolute power? 🌌 Sometimes when you’re watching the lights dance and swirl above you, it can almost feel as though they’re close enough to touch ✨
* * *
📸 @aarontino
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #northernlights #blachfordlakelodge #blachford #canada #canadian #keepexploring #explorecanada #northof60 #earthpix #travelherendxt #travelpix #earthofficial #cangeo #astrophotography #natgeotravel #aurora #auroraborealis #getoutside #potd #welcome #vacation #aurora #northern #truenorth

2 weeks ago
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Gone fishin’ 🎣
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Gone fishin’ 🎣
* * *
📸 @kailawalton
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #gofish #canadian #canada #fishing #girlswhofish #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views

2 weeks ago
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Just keep floating, just keep floating ☀️ 💦
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📸 @simosimonak
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views
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Just keep floating, just keep floating ☀️ 💦
* * *
📸 @simosimonak
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views

2 weeks ago
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Summer is on the way - we can’t wait for open water and sunny summer days ☀️
* * *
📸 @kailawalton
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views
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Summer is on the way – we can’t wait for open water and sunny summer days ☀️
* * *
📸 @kailawalton
* * *
#thisisblachford #spectacularnwt #blachfordlakelodge #nwt #explorecanada #onthewater #midnightsun #summerdays #hottub #monster #canadian #canada #staycation #nwtstaycation #lodgelife #lakelife #wildernessculture #wildernessnation #offgrid #fishing #booknow #summerfun #flashback #floating #swimming #summer #relaxation #views

2 weeks ago
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FAQ

 

Q: What do you have in the way of outdoor activities?


A: Summer activities include fishing, SUP boarding, hiking, canoe/kayaking, swimming, motor boating, interpretive tours, bird watching, plant and animal identification. Winter activities include cross-country skiing (20 km groomed trails), snowshoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, fat tire biking, igloo building, kick sledding, quinzhee or igloo building.

 

Q: Is there wifi available on site?


A: 
Surprisingly, yes! While your cell phone won't work (sorry, not sorry!) - we do have wifi that comes in via satellite. Each guest is provided with 250 MB/day of internet free of charge.

 

Q: How crowded does Blachford Lake get in the busy season?


A: We are the only lodge on 17 km long Blachford Lake. There is no road access here, so you are unlikely to meet anyone other than your fellow lodge guests during your stay. The peace and quiet will be one of your best memories of your Blachford trip.

 
Q: Does that mean I can see Aurora all summer?

A: 
Not quite. From May through the beginning of August, we have 24 hours of light, so the Aurora are not visible.

 

Q: Do you provide transportation from Yellowknife Airport to the Air Charter Base?


A: We can arrange transportation for you. We can also arrange for tours and hotel or B & B accommodations in Yellowknife. Air charter flights depart from a float plane base on the shores of Great Slave Lake.

 

Q: How do we arrange guide service?


A: Guide service is available for all guests. Ask our office staff before you arrive. We do require pre-booking of guides to ensure that your needs are accommodated.

 

Q: Can you prepare vegetarian or special dietary meals?


A: Definitely. Please, advise us of your special needs prior to your arrival.

 

Q: I assume there is a liability waiver to sign, is this correct?


A: 
Yes. During the booking process, each traveller will be required to complete a waiver and sign off on our Terms & Conditions. This is mandatory for all guests and must be completed prior to arrival in Yellowknife.

 
Q: Is it guaranteed I will see Aurora, or catch the biggest fish?

A: 
Sorry, we can't guarantee anything... but we will try our best! The NWT is scientifically the best place in the world for Aurora viewing, so you've picked the right place. The science behind the Aurora says that if you stay for 3 nights minimum, you have around a 90% chance of getting a special lights show.

 

Q: What amenities do you have at Blachford?


A: In addition to northern wilderness, clear lake water, miles of trails, cozy accommodations and sumptuous meals, we offer: hot tub, tipi, aurora viewing room, fireplace, full bar service, full washroom facilities with hot showers, toiletries, hairdryers, and daily housekeeping service.

 

Q: How big is the aircraft that goes to the lodge?


A: 
Typically, you will fly on a Twin Otter. At times, you may however, have the opportunity to fly on a Cessna, Beaver, or Caravan. All are considered "bush planes". They are all very safe, and flown by experienced pilots. If you're feeling a bit nervous, feel free to bring your own water bottle or ginger tablets with you.

 

Q: Do I require insurance to visit?


A: 
While it is not exactly mandatory, we 100% recommend that all guests have emergency medical insurance while visiting us. Please remember you're travelling into the true wilderness!

 

Q: What is your fishing policy?


A: We actively encourage a barbless "catch & release" program. However, a few small fish can be kept for a "shore" lunch or be brought back to the lodge for our chef to prepare.

 
Q: How long has Blachford Lake Lodge been in business?

A: We have been in operation since 1981. Blachford is owner-operated with the owner and most of the staff residents in Yellowknife.

 

Q: When and from where will my charter flight depart?


A: 
We will inform you via email approximately 4 weeks prior to your scheduled departure. There are a number of factors that will determine where you depart from, so thank you for your patience!

 
Q: When are you in operation?

A: We are open from mid-December through mid-April, and from June to mid-October. We are closed a few weeks in autumn, while the lake freezes and in spring when the lake thaws.

 

Q: Is alcohol available to purchase at the lodge?

A: Yes. We have a fully stocked bar on site.

 

Q: What is my baggage allowance? 


A: 
Each guest is allowed one large bag (up to 40 lbs), and one smaller "carry on style" bag (around 8 lbs).

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